A Guide to the Season’s Food-and-Wine Festivals

Seared scallops with baby bok choy, peanuts, and apple-mustard cream—chef J. Chastain’s winning white-wine dish in last year’s Rising Stars Chefs’ Contest at the Dallas festival. *Photograph by Steve Reed/Dallas Wine & Food Festival.*Every spring brings a profusion of food. This year, celebrations of it are also bountiful: in a span of two months, there are 10 major food-and-wine fêtes. “The popularity of these festivals has soared, due to the rise of the celebrity chef—and a more educated consumer,” says Lee Schrager, founder and director of the hugely successful South Beach and New York City Food & Wine Festivals. Collectively, these festivals will welcome at least 60,000 guests; here’s a taste of what’s to come from the spring’s superlatives.
Most Likely to Succeed
The Galveston Island Food & Wine Festival (Galveston, Texas, April 14-17)

Because: Last year’s inaugural event drew 600 patrons; this year, 3,000 are expected. That’s a staggering growth rate of 400 percent—and this in a city still affected by last spring’s BP oil spill, and Hurricane Ike, less than three years ago.

This year’s special: Wines from Around the World, the theme throughout, with more than 100 wines and 22 vintners, from as far as Argentina, South Africa, and New Zealand, representing firsthand on this East Texas barrier island.

What it’s good for: Beneficiaries include the Galveston College Culinary Arts Academy and the Resource & Crisis Center of Galveston County (and, of course, the local economy, still greatly in need of tourism).

Because: In its 29th year, it’s the longest-running festival on this list. What’s more, its locale has evolved from a teetotal temperance colony into the host of this special event for more than 115 wine-makers.

Unexpected guest: U2 keyboardist Terry Lawless, who’ll join area act Burning James and the Funky Flames, according to the band.

Who you’ll meet: Every member of the Vintners’ Association, who, because of the region’s unique transverse valleys, are able to make diverse varietals within hundreds of micro-climates.

Minor-celebrity chef: Frank Ostini of the Hitching Post II—put on the map by the film Sideways, which was set and shot in the encompassing Santa Ynez Valley.

Most Artistic

The Dallas Wine & Food Festival (April 27-May 1)

Because: Two festival favorites take place in art houses—the Angelika Film Center’s Cinematic Feast and the Nasher Sculpture Center’s Rising Stars Chefs’ Dinner.

Main course: Taste of the World, now in its 27th year—a sampling of the winners of the Dallas Morning News and TexSom Wine Competition, at the city’s Beaux Arts Union Station.

Because: Suggested attire for the festival’s 65 events ranges from “resort casual” to black-tie (dinners run as much as $2,000 per seat). Plus, planned entertainment for the Lexus Grand Tastings includes a fashion show.

Venue: Every resort property on Pebble Beach, the jewel of the Del Monte Forest.

This year’s special: A Tribute to Tom Colicchio—a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of his New York restaurant Craft—by chefs Claudia Fleming, Jonathan Waxman, and Geoffrey Zakarian, among others.

Between meals: Festival favorite the Celebrity Chef & Winemaker Golf Tournament, where amateur golfers including Masaharu Morimoto and Ming Tsai will compete on one of America’s most famous courses, the Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Best Manners

Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit (Las Vegas, Nevada, May 5-8)

Because: This is Sin City, yet the event aims to maintain itself as “sophisticated and intimate.” And it’s dutifully hosting the festival season’s only Mother’s Day brunches.

This year’s special: The Toques Off to Paul Bocuse dinner, prepared by a coalition of French and American chefs including Jean Joho, Hubert Keller, Michel Richard, and Jacques Torres, at the MGM Grand Premier Ballroom.

What it’s good for: Three Square, an area food bank; Keep Memory Alive, supporting brain health; and culinary programs and scholarships at the College of Southern Nevada.

Because: In its 12th year, this event will see a turnout of more than 15,000—the highest on this list.

Key venue: The idyllic River Walk—San Antonio’s most memorable setting outside of the Alamo.

Local lauds: A signature-tequila-cocktail dinner, where multiple courses are paired, and Burgers, BBQ, Beer & Texas Spirits, which closes the festival.

Between meals: “Run. Eat. Drink.,” a five-kilometer race through the city’s prime shopping district, followed by brunch and libations.

What it’s good for: A number of local culinary students and food-related-aid organizations benefit from the event, whose mission is to “champion the wine and food industries while fostering community growth and enrichment.”

Most Ambitious

The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival (May 19-22)

Because: This Deep South first-timer follows the recent and massively attended Charleston Wine & Food Festival and precedes the 20-year-old New Orleans event (see below) by just two days—and with “nearly 200 activities.”

On the menu: Old Traditions, New Traditions, and Imports & Inspirations (a.k.a. “Other Southern”), comprising tastes and taste-makers from each of the region’s 13 states (from master sommeliers to fry cooks).

Who you’ll meet: John Besh, Sean Brock, and Donald Link, among many others, as 65 prominent southern chefs make up the festival’s Founders Council.

Local laud: The Vidalia Onion Dinner, in which “Southeast Georgia’s greatest discovery” is showcased by three area aficionados.

Most Conscientious

Cooking for Solutions (Monterey, California, May 20-22)

Because: The festival benefits its venue—the nonprofit Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is widely considered the foremost ocean-research-and-conservation center. And all food, wine, and beverages offered are organic and sustainable.

Who you’ll meet: The aquarium’s Ken Peterson describes the events as “greater opportunities to actually meet and connect with celebrity chefs,” who this year will include Alton Brown, Robert Irvine, Nathan Lyon, and P. Allen Smith—“caring individuals,” Peterson says, “with a deep commitment to serving great food that respects the health of ecosystems.”

Main course: Any of six Food & Wine Adventures, in which small groups are guided through farms and kitchens by chefs with whom they collaborate.

Who’s welcome: Everyone; this is a rare food-and-wine event that allows those under 21.

Most Spirited

The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (May 24-28)

Because: Each year the Big Easy sees 100 parades, the city estimates, and this festival has its own. What’s more, the self-proclaimed “bacchanalia” continues for five days.

Past key venue: The Louisiana Superdome, for the festival’s Grand Tastings (closed this year for renovation).